What's up top does make a difference

In Maryland it seems we go from spring to summer overnight. One night you need an extra blanket, and by the following afternoon you’re turning on the air conditioning. With the cost of energy always a concern, consider how what’s on your roof can help you keep cool and save money.

Replacing your roof is not something you do only to save energy costs, but if the time for a new roof is near, here are some things to consider:

• Clay and concrete tiles have been around for thousands of years for a good reason. They are a green products because they come from the earth, not from petroleum like asphalt tiles.
• Roofing tiles contain natural thermal resistance in the raw materials, and the installation of the individual tiles creates a natural airspace around the tiles allowing for ventilation that helps cool air to circulate through the roof.
• While only eight percent of US homes use concrete and clay roof, these roofs are becoming more popular quickly as the cost of more traditional materials rises rapidly.
• If you think all roof tiles are red, round, and heavy, think again. Tiles come flat and in many colors: blues, greens, browns, and blacks. You can get a concrete and clay roof tile in round and flat and any color that you want.
• Roofing tiles on average come with a 50-year warranty, and a reputable roofing contractor should give you at least half that time as a warranty on labor. Compare this to the typical 20-year limited warranty on asphalt-based shingle roofing products. 

As the cost of energy rises, we need to look at alternatives to the way we’ve always done things, whether in our cars or our homes. For more information on tile roofing materials, visit http://www.tileroofing.org/.

And when it’s time to buy or sell a home, call on the "Special" Ed Haraway Team. We’ve earned the title of "The Realtors Who Treat You Special!"

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